Player ratings are back for another season. Just as before, I post ratings, you can post alternative ratings, and I'll tell you why you're wrong.
Here are my ratings for yesterday:
Schmeichel: 8 - Showed quality handling in difficult situations that his opponent did not. Alert to the danger when it came. It may seem a high rating given the little he had to do, but I don't think he could have done more.
Simpson: 7 - An easy game to get his bearings. Grew through the match after a shaky start.
Morgan: 7 - Better than last week, but the back troubles look really concerning. I can't see that he will start when Huth and Maguire are both fit.
Maguire: 9 - Has received a lot of plaudits from pundits and they're well deserved. Even though he won't STAY IN THE CENTRE OF DEFENCE. Even so, my choice for our MOTM.
Fuchs: 8 - Occasionally caught out of position but does offer a lot going forward. Correct balance between attack and defence given the situation.
Mahrez: 9 - Playing for a move of course, but showed why the £50m price tag is justified, and arguably generous. Some beautiful touches and play.
Ndidi: 6 - Looked flustered and couldn't really get hold of the ball despite being in the action. Just needs to calm down a bit.
James: 7 - Has started the season well; did the dirty work well and covered intelligently for wayward defenders. Just don't shoot.
Albrighton: 7 - Bright in the first half, tired in the second. Alternates very well with Fuchs.
Okazaki: 8 - Doesn't often get much luck up front, but has now been in the right place twice to score. Showing Shakespeare his worth with the threat of Iheanacho waiting in the wings.
Vardy: 6 - Sharp physically but his ball control was lacking in what was something of an off day.
Subs:
Slimani: 6 - Put in good effort, even though it was often uncoordinated with teammates. But the game was dead by the time he came on.
Gray: n/a.
When I got back yesterday, I couldn't quite believe that some people on Radio Leicester had been complaining that they were bored, and more that they'd rather draw entertainingly than win boringly. Honestly, we've just had one of the most comfortably wins since returning to the Premier League when surrounded by games against top 6 teams, and people are complaining at a 2-0 home win.
But moreover, I think it shows a lack of understanding about how the match went. Leicester City did a job yesterday. If you're 1-0, then 2-0 up, and the opposition are content to either let you pass the ball around your own half uncontested, or alternatively pass the ball around their own half uncontested, you absolutely let them.
Brighton were atrocious yesterday. What they were trying to achieve is unclear, but it looked like they were content to not get stuffed and pass the ball around neatly at times. At no point did they try to change the pace of the game, close down, take risks, throw men forward, or anything. I went away with the impression that they have no goalscorer or creativity, but really I don't honestly know what they've got because they showed no intention of displaying it.
If Brighton are still in the Premier League next season, I will be astounded.
Player ratings vs. Brighton
posted on 20/8/17
People may say that Maguire's approach to defending will simply show that Morgan isn't as good as him individually over time, but perhaps we already know that a lot of our individuals excel because of the unit around them - it's cliched, but it's like a perfect fit.
I wonder, if when Huth is available again, we will be posed with a dilemma of whether we play the way two individual centre backs (on performance or reckoning) or we opt for the best combination - my gut feeling was always that Huth was perhaps less reliant on Morgan than vice versa, but hopefully some healthy competition will have all three meeting their current potention in the same way that Okazaki has risen to he challenge with the prospective inclusion of 'nacho on the horizon.
Again though, hopefully Maguire will learn (or perhaps already know) that against writer opposition, where our main tactic of fast countering is more imperative, the ball will travel a lot quicker from an early release than a dribble out of defence. Sounds a little pessimistic and I'm sure, optimistically thinking (!), he may learn this in training, as opposed to when 3 points are on the line, with the likes of Vardy, Okazaki, Gray, Mahrez, etc., utilising the space he may leave when looking to (admirably) push up the pitch.
posted on 20/8/17
'Play the way' - should read 'play the best'
posted on 20/8/17
Given our other options at CB, I'm with Appleton and surprised that we're not in for Smalling. Ok, he's no Maldini, but he's certainly better than our traditional (ageing/old-fashioned) pairing. Also, surely we'd be a more appealing destination than West Brom.
posted on 21/8/17
Yankari - I don't know about that, we're talking about a team that play 4 or more centre backs per match here. Guaranteed action and lots of new, similarly-minded friends.
Incidentally, a good point from Nev that has sort of slipped down the back of the JA606 sofa: When asked about it at the weekend, Shakespeare confirmed that there's nothing wrong with Jakupovic and that Hamer was there on merit. Now to me that's interesting, because it means either Hamer's looking considerably better than he did in his fleeting appearances last season or Jakupovic is looking dodgier than a bloke with a moustache standing at a street corner in Beaumont Leys selling "authentic" Rolex wristwatches. I'd hazard a guess that we might find out tomorrow evening.
posted on 21/8/17
You bought one of those watches as well did you Dung?
posted on 21/8/17
It's right twice a day.
posted on 21/8/17
Good Morning Dung i have missed you.
TB i cant listen to the moanin after the match after being put on Suside watch once...Oh the joys of free speech
posted on 21/8/17
Good morning Nev. I've missed you too.
But I'll get you next time.
posted on 21/8/17
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 16 hours, 33 minutes ago
"I gave up with the Moan in a long time ago, unfortunately its easier to make good listening if you are a plank and say something controversial, therefore you get air time."
"You would have thought by now that Radio Leicester would have a plank! filter..."
I wish you lot would stop having a go at Stringer!
Professional performance well executed, despite Brighton being poor you can only beat what's in front of you at the time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I resisted making the Stringer link so as not to upset Nev...
posted on 21/8/17
The big loss for RL is Jason Bourne passionate lcfc fan and great producer now working for talk sport and the BBC one to watch for the future.